Top 10 Common Trip Mistakes
These are the 10 most common trip mistakes to easily avoid!
You simply cannot turn up to Disneyland Paris on a whim without any planning - find out why below!
Disneyland Paris is a magical kingdom that has been providing memories and joy to visitors for many years. However, first-time visitors to the parks can easily make mistakes that can detract from their overall experience.
Not Planning Ahead
One of the biggest mistakes that first-time visitors to Disneyland Paris make is not planning ahead. The resort is very popular, and it can get very busy, especially during peak season. To avoid crowds and long wait times for popular attractions, it's important to plan your trip in advance. This includes researching the park, choosing the right time to go, and booking your tickets and accommodations in advance. Planning ahead will ensure that you make the most of your time at the park and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Most importantly, you cannot buy standard tickets at the gate, and many days in the year are complete sell-outs. Do not plan a trip without securing park access! Get your tickets here! (AF link)
Underestimating the Crowds and Queues
Another common mistake is underestimating the crowds at Disneyland Paris. The park is very popular, and it can get very busy, especially during peak season and weekends. To avoid crowds and long wait times for popular attractions, it's important to arrive early and take breaks throughout the day. By playing “avoid the crowds”, you'll be able to enjoy your trip without feeling overwhelmed. Have lunch at 11.30am and Dinner during the 5.30pm parade (if you’ve seen it before). Follow the app to attractions with low wait times (the Magipark app is also great!). Use Single Rider and Baby/Parent switch (return when the queue time has doubled!). Use the men’s toilets where possible for children’s toilet trips. Use the shopping service so you don’t have to drag the bags around all day. Buy premier access 1 hour before you want to go on the ride. Plan your food around where you will be at lunch or dinner time!
Not Knowing the Park Layout
The combined area of Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park is a very large piece of land (it’s common to walk over 25km per day!), and it can be easy to get lost or miss out on some of the attractions. To make the most of your trip, it's important to familiarize yourself with the park layout and plan your itinerary accordingly. You can find maps of the park and information on the attractions and shows on the Disneyland Paris website and the app! I’ve also done a virtual walk around here. By knowing the park layout, you'll be able to make the most of your time and experience all that the park has to offer.
Ignoring the Weather
The weather in Disneyland Paris can change quickly, so it's important to be prepared for all conditions - layers, layers and more layers. Make sure to check the weather forecast before your trip and each night (for the next day). Bring appropriate clothing and footwear for the time of year you are visiting. By being prepared for the weather, you'll be able to enjoy your trip without having to worry about getting cold or wet. You might need snow boots and sun-cream within the same trip in March! Pick up these handy poncho balls on Amazon (AF link).
Not Using Extra Magic Time (for Disney Hotel Guests)
If you are saying in Davy Crockett’s, Santa Fe, Cheyenne, Sequoia Lodge, Newport Bay or Hotel New York - you can get into the park’s one hour earlier than everyone else (also applied to Magic Plus and Infinity Annual pass holders). The 8.15am character breakfast gives you the chance to take photos in a stunningly empty Disneyland Park from 8am. The most popular rides open at 8.30am and you can even get ahead of the queue for Princess Pavilion or Meet Mickey Mouse (they normally open after 9.30am but you’ll be top of the queue).
Not Budgeting for Food and Souvenirs
Disneyland Paris has a wide range of food options and souvenirs available, and it's easy to overspend. A bottle of water or Coca-Cola is over €3! To avoid overspending, make sure to budget for food and souvenirs ahead of time. Not having breakfast in your Disney hotel is a massive saving (why spend €22 each when a coffee/juice and a pastry in Starbucks or the train station will do fine!). You do not need to eat at Table-service or Buffet restaurants at all - counter service is half the price. You can also bring snacks and drinks from outside the park to save money. By budgeting for food and souvenirs, you'll be able to enjoy your trip without worrying about money.
Not Knowing What You Are Entitled To
f you have one of the 7 documents listed here, you can avail of a priority pass which will transform your trip entirely. Even if you have one of the 30 long term chronic conditions (including diabetes, cancers and psychiatric conditions), you can avail of an easy access pass, giving you some relief from long queue rides. Expectant mothers can avail of a priority bracelet. Knowing you can avail of one fo these passes can be the difference between having to confidence to even book a trip, or not.
Don’t Bring Kids at the Wrong Age
It’s a case of “knowing your own kids best”. If your child is just at that age where they won’t sit still or cooperate at meal times - this won’t change when you get to Disneyland. We found that 12-18 months was a really bad age because our youngest daughter was just beginning to walk with confidence and didn’t want to be in a stroller if her big sister wasn’t. She also didn’t want to be in a high chair. iPad or iPhone for distraction wasn’t quite on the menu either! Don’t be afraid to leave that child at home (preferably with a trusted adult) or wait to go when they get a little older. For what it’s worth, under 1 is a great age, just under 3 is a super age (they get in for free) and 5yrs+ is just amazing before they start getting a bit narky!
Don’t Spend Money on Things You Won’t Use
This might seem like an absolute obvious one, but did you know that if your hotel has a pool, you are paying for it, whether you use it or not? Disney Hotels “onsite” are all within walking distance of the parks, and half of that distance is normally walking through Disney Village. If you are determined to use the hotel shuttles and don’t care for early starts or characters in the lobby - treat yourself to a much nicer hotel offsite with a private shuttle! You don’t need to pay to see any of the shows in Disneyland Paris, don’t let the app force you to think otherwise. You don’t have to eat at €45 buffets everyday! You don’t need to buy Premier Access if you play it smart. You don’t need to stay at the Marvel hotel to prove you are a huge Marvel fan! I’m a big believer in smart spending - with a view to visiting more often!
Don’t over-plan and try to do too much!
The best thing about any Disney park is how they make you feel! Don’t risk losing that magic feeling by trying to do too much or sticking to a hour-by-hour itinerary that will just set you up for disappointment. Pick maybe 5 things per day that you really want to do, then react to the weather and queue times to anchor your day around these attractions or shows. Then use tier-2 or “filler” rides to keep the momentum during the day. If i’m walking past slinky-dog or tea cups and I see a 10 minute queue, I am jumping on that ride! Leave room to be spontaneous. If you see a cast member in a red jacket with a yellow stripe (these are character chaperones) run over and ask what character is coming out, you could be the first in line! Enjoy yourself, Disneyland Paris is not a to-do list, it’s an experience!
Have you got any more in mind? Let me know your biggest mistakes by getting in touch!